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Liver pre-transplant question

Posted by jodeej @jodeej, Mar 26, 2018

My husband has occasional issues with stomach upset resulting in diarrhea recently. Is this part of his liver issue or is it possibly something else? He went to to work today, but turned around and came right back home because of it. We do go back for his 3 month check-up the week of the 9th, so I can talk to the transplant team about it. I know his liver is really getting worse because his breath is starting to smell and his "brain fog" or cognition is getting worse.
Thanks,
JoDee

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jodeej | @jodeej | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

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@kltchrmn he isn't on anything at the moment. I'll be interested to see if that changes after these appointments.

REPLY
kltchrmn | @kltchrmn | Jun 19, 2018

Xifaxan in combination with Lactulose help keep my HE at bay.

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Jun 19, 2018

I have a question for people who take lactulose and rifaximin. They have suspended my driving licence because of these two drugs. I don't suffer from confusion or dizziness. Has anyone else had a problem of their licence being taken away? This is in Ontario.

REPLY
4 replies
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

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@kitchrmn sorry for my ignorance but what does HE stand for? I take rifaximin and lactulose and have never heard this term.

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

@jodee I suffer from this haze and bad temperament most days. It's been a year on the list my score is 37. What exactly is HE?

REPLY
kltchrmn | @kltchrmn | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

Hepatic encephalopathy - an over accumulation of amonia in the bloodstream and brain. Causes fogginess or short term amnesia and difficulties with balance (gait) and fine motor issues, and mood changes.

REPLY
kltchrmn | @kltchrmn | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

Hepatic encephalopathy- problems with gross and fine motor function, mood, and fogginess of the mind.

REPLY
jodeej | @jodeej | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

@gaylea1 I can't believe that you haven't head a transplant at a 37! It's Hepatic encephalopathy. When I look back I can see my husband has had some mild episodes. I'm sure they will get worse before he transplants. It doesn't help that he is a bit on the moody side to begin with, I'm sure. 😉

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

Thank you. I don't have a build up of ammonia now due to drinking lots of water, diet and meds.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jun 19, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week...." + (show)
@jodeej

@rosemarya @contentandwell @gayle1 @kltchrmn I am almost certain my husband had a HE episode last week. He was crabby, tired and said he'd had "fog" all day. The reason I'm somewhat uncertain is that his dad had passed away a couple weeks earlier and he realized that Father's Day was coming up. So it could possible be grief and depression causing it. After looking at the symptoms though, I know he has been having signs of HE for quite awhile. We leave for Rochester tomorrow morning, so we will see what the doctor says. His score is a 30 right now.
Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

@jodeej I hope all goes well in Rochester. With xifaxan, and then with added lactulose eventually, my symptoms were kept at bay. Hopefully he will be using one or both of these and do well with them. As his liver gets worse of course the symptoms increase.
Will be thinking of you.
JK

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